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When to Contact ORS

miAccountis the fastest way to access and make changes to your account. When you log in, you have secure access to change your insurance information, update your address, and much more.

Below are the most common situations that would require contact with ORS after your pension payments begin. Please use it as a general guide only. Because we can't list every possible event that should be reported, it's best to contact us if you're not sure. You can use the secure Message Board in miAccount to contact a knowledgeable ORS representative.

Address Change

Be sure we know your current mailing address, physical address, and email address at all times so you receive your statements and other important notices. Your physical address is where you actually live while your mailing address is where you wish to receive your mail. You can now enter a PO Box for your mailing address. Address changes can be made online through miAccount.

We will notify your insurance carriers of your address change; however, it may take up to 30 days before the carrier can take action. If you’re insured by an HMO, check to make sure that you can still be enrolled in your HMO at your new address (HMO availability is determined by county).

If your address change means you need to enroll in another plan, make sure to enroll at least a month before you move to avoid a gap in coverage.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure to change your address with Social Security.

Birth or Adoption

Ordinarily, the birth or adoption of a child after you retire will not affect your pension. However, if you wish to enroll your child in your insurance plans, you can do so by using miAccount.

A birth or adoption could mean that you need to change your life insurance beneficiary using the Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB) form. And don't forget to notify Voya Financial® if you have a State of Michigan 401(k) or 457 Plan account and want to change your beneficiary.

Death

Death of the retiree. Upon your death, your personal representative (family member or executor) should contact ORS as quickly as possible. We will need your social security number and a photocopy of the death certificate. See What Your Survivors Should Know for information to give to your survivors.

Death of a pension beneficiary. If you elected a survivor option and your pension beneficiary predeceases you, notify ORS and provide a photocopy of the death certificate so we can adjust your pension amount to the full (unreduced) straight life pension. If you elected the equated plan and your beneficiary dies before you, your benefit will revert to the straight life equated amount.

If any person receiving a survivor benefit dies, ORS should be contacted immediately. We will need the social security number of the state retiree as well as that of the beneficiary who was receiving benefits, along with a photocopy of the death certificate.

ORS will stop pension payments as soon as we are notified of a death. If the death notice is not received timely, the estate is obligated to repay all payments made after death.

Death of insurance dependent. If anyone enrolled as a dependent in your health, dental, or vision insurance plan dies, report the death immediately using the Beneficiaries & Dependents section in miAccount. You must also submit a photocopy of the death certificate.

Direct Deposit Change

The quickest way to change your direct deposit is in miAccount. Ordinarily, if we receive your request by the first day of the month, your next payment should be deposited to your new account. Do not close your old account until your pension payment has been successfully deposited in your new account.

Divorce

If you divorce after retirement, your pension will not be affected unless you elected a survivor option. To change your survivor option to a straight life pension, you must submit a court order, called a Domestic Relations Order (DRO). To assist you and your attorney, ORS provides instructions and downloadable, fillable DRO forms. These are the preferred DRO documents to file with the Office of Retirement Services. They are the fastest, most efficient way to complete your filing. Complete the form online, save it, print it, then take the printed copy to the court for the judge's signature.

If your former spouse is enrolled as a dependent in your health, dental, vision, or life insurance plan, his or her eligibility will cease. Report the divorce immediately using the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G)form or miAccount. Include a copy of your divorce decree.

If you were covered by your former spouse’s insurance but that coverage is ending and you wish to enroll, complete the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G)form or apply miAccount. You must submit proof of loss of coverage from the previous benefit administrator which includes who is being terminated, when, and why. Find more information about when your coverage can take effect if you have a qualifying event.

Employment

Marriage

Marriage of retiree. If you marry after your retirement pension begins, there is no need to report the marriage because your payments will not be affected.

However, if you wish to enroll your new spouse in your insurance plans, you can do so in miAccount or by completing the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G)form. If you submit the form, a copy of your spouse's birth certificate, and a copy of your government issued marriage certificate to ORS within 30 days of the event, coverage can begin the first of the month following the date of marriage, or potentially a month later if you or your spouse is on Medicare.

Marriage of survivor pension beneficiary. If you are receiving a survivor pension on the account of a deceased state employee, you don't need to report your marriage because your pension will continue as usual, and insurance benefits are not available to your new spouse.

Medicare

You do not need to notify ORS when your Medicare coverage begins at age 65. However, if you, your spouse, or anyone covered by your insurance are offered Medicare before age 65, you must notify ORS using miAccount or by completing the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G).

Once your Medicare begins you should see a significant decrease in the amount of your health plan premiums. Because you cannot be reimbursed retroactively for any premiums deducted, be sure to notify ORS as soon as you or any dependent on your health insurance plan becomes eligible for Medicare before the age of 65.

Missing Payment

Power of Attorney

If you designate a power of attorney, conservatorship, or guardianship, have your personal representative contact ORS right away. We will need a notarized copy of the legal documentation before your representative can act on your behalf. Send a health care power of attorney to ORS and your insurance carriers.

Social Security

You don't need to notify ORS when your social security payments begin, because it will not affect your pension. If you chose the equated plan, remember that your pension will be reduced when you turn age 65 regardless of how much your social security benefit is, or when it begins. The reduction in your pension is based on the social security estimate you provided when you applied for your pension.

Taxes

You can change your federal or Michigan tax withholding rate at any time in miAccount.

Each January, ORS will send you a federal form 1099-R so you can file your income tax returns. This statement shows how much was paid to you during the year in pension benefits, as well as how much was withheld in taxes. Log into miAccount any time after January 1 to view and print your 1099-R.

The retirement plan information that appears on this website is intended to summarize basic provisions of Public Act 240 of 1943, as amended. Current laws, rates, and factors are subject to change. Should there be discrepancies between the information reflected here and the actual law, the provisions of the law govern.